Williamson tried to cut with the basketball, but when he planted his left foot the shoe exploded.

Former President Barack Obama was sitting courtside and was seen on camera reacting to Williamson's injury.

Obama could be seen saying "His shoe broke."

Williamson later was taken to the locker room for evaluation and was ruled out for the rest of the game.

Former President Barack Obama was courtside for what is being viewed as the pivotal moment in Wednesday night's highly anticipated men's college basketball matchup between No. 1 Duke and No. 8 North Carolina.

The Duke star Zion Williamson injured his right knee just 33 seconds into the contest when his left shoe exploded as he tried to cut with the basketball. He was taken to the locker room for evaluation and was ruled out for the rest of the game.

Here is Obama, who can be seen in the background saying "His shoe broke" immediately after the injury, via ESPN: